EJC expressed its congratulations to the Dutch people for rejecting populism and extremism after Dutch Prime Minister Marc Rutte’s Conservative Liberal VVD party topped the poll in the national elections, pushing back a potential threat from the far-right populist Freedom Party led by Geert Wilders.

“Prime Minister Rutte expressed before the elections that a populist ‘domino effect’ was taking place across the globe,” EJC President Dr. Moshe Kantor said. “However, we hope that this electoral victory will begin the reverse, a ‘domino effect’ of mainstream parties pushing back against extremism and populism.”

“With the French and German elections taking place in the coming months, hopefully this result will be an encouraging sign to the mainstream parties in their election campaigns against populists and extremists.” Dr. Kantor continued. "

"We look forward to working with the new Dutch government in maintaining and strengthening European values and an open and tolerant society."

Early results in the Netherlands indicate the Liberals will become the largest party in Wednesday's parliamentary election, while populist Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom will come in third. Rutte's party was on track to win 32 seats in the lower house of parliament, while Wilders' party was projected to win 19 seats.

The European Jewish Congress (EJC) sends its warm congratulations to Chancellor Angela Merkel on her party’s performance in the German Federal Elections today, which will see her lead a new government as Chancellor.

Tamar and Mohammed top Israel's baby name listThe most popular baby names in Israel over the past year were Tamar for girls and Mohammad for boys, the two favourites remaining at the top of their lists for the third consecutive year, according to figures released on Sunday by the Interior Ministry.

On Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Syrians express gratitude for Israeli field hospitalsDozens of Syrian civilians have written letters of gratitude to Israel and the IDF for establishing field hospitals on its northern border which provided, and continue to provide, medical care to numerous victims wounded in the country's ongoing violent civil war.